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# Vogel, Slade & Goldstein LLP

Qui Tam Lawyers

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## Posts

- [Whistleblowers Protect Patients from Ineffective Medications](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/whistleblowers-protect-patients-from-ineffective-medications/) - The False Claims Act provides an effective way for whistleblowers to expose drug companies’ unlawful marketing activities. VS&G has successfully represented whistleblowers alleging such misconduct in several important cases.
- [DC Circuit Rules On Public Disclosure and First-to-File Bars](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/dc_circuit_us_ex_rel_shea/) - D.C. Circuit issues qui tam decision on public disclosure bar and first-to-file bar in U.S. ex rel. Shea v. Cellco
- [A Qui Tam Attorney’s Guide: Bringing Suit for the King](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/a-qui-tam-attorneys-guide-bringing-suit-for-the-king/) - The woman across the table from you appears to have a strong retaliatory discharge case. She was fired two weeks after reporting that her boss was engaged in illegal conduct. But there may be an additional, and perhaps more valuable, cause of action. The company your whistleblower client worked for is a government contractor and
- [Supreme Court Rejects Mandatory Dismissal as Remedy for FCA Seal Violations](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/supreme-court-rejects-mandatory-dismissal-as-remedy-for-fca-seal-violations/) - The Supreme Court rejected the notion that courts must dismiss qui tam lawsuits whenever a whistleblower violates the seal requirement of the False Claims Act .
- [Third Circuit Issues Decision on “Reverse False Claims” Provision](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/third-circuit-issues-decision-on-reverse-false-claims-provision/) - In United States ex rel. Customs Fraud Investigations, LLC v. Victaulic Co., 839 F.3d 242 (3d Cir. Oct. 5, 2016), the Third Circuit Court of Appeals clarified the scope of the so-called reverse false claims provision of the False Claims Act (“FCA”) by holding that “failure to pay marking duties may give rise to reverse
- [First Circuit denies motion to dismiss Escobar case, finding noncompliance with Medicaid regulations to be “material”](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/first-circuit-denies-motion-to-dismiss-escobar-case-finding-noncompliance-with-medicaid-regulations-to-be-material/) - In United States ex rel. Escobar v. Universal Health Services, Inc., No. 14-1423 (1st Cir. November 22, 2016), the First Circuit, on remand from the Supreme Court, held that the qui tam plaintiff had sufficiently alleged that the defendant’s noncompliance with a Massachusetts Medicaid rule was “material.” Consequently, the court held that the plaintiff’s complaint
- [Off-Label Promotions and Prescriptions Pursued Under the False Claims Act](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/off-label-promotions-and-prescriptions-pursued-under-the-false-claims-act/) - Shelley R. Slade Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, Off label cases pursued under the False Claims Act.
- [False Claims Act & Health Care Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/false-claims-act-health-care-fraud/) - False Claims Act qui tam cases against medical practices committing Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
- [2009 Amendments to False Claims Act](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/2009-amendments-to-false-claims-act/) - The FCA, codified at 31 USCA § 3729, § 3733, is often described as the Government’s primary tool for recovering funds that were stolen through fraud against the Government.
- [Deciding Whether to File a Qui Tam Suit](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/deciding-whether-to-file-a-qui-tam-suit/) - The False Claims Act, a civil statute, is often said to be the government’s primary tool for recovering monies lost as the result of fraud against the government.
- [The False Claims Act and its Impact on Medical Practices](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/the-false-claims-act-and-its-impact-on-medical-practices/) - Robert L. Vogel Published in Medical Practice Management A lawsuit under the False Claims Act can threaten the very survival of a medical practice. Violations of this statute result in liability for treble damages and potentially ruinous civil penalties. It is a law with which every medical practitioner and practice manager should be familiar. The
- [Liability Under the False Claims Act for Retained Overpayments: New Horizons](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/liability-under-the-false-claims-act-for-retained-overpayments-new-horizons/) - Shelley R. Slade1 In the Fraud Enforcement & Recovery Act of 2009 (FERA),2 Congress expanded the reach of the liability provisions of the federal False Claims Act (FCA)3 so that they now cover a health care provider’s “knowing” and “improper” retention of overpayments regardless of whether the provider makes a false statement to conceal the
- [The SAIC Case: A New Approach To False Claims Act Damages](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/the-saic-case-a-new-approach-to-false-claims-act-damages/) - In the case of United States v. Science Applications International Corporation, 626 F.3d 1257 (D.C. Cir. 2010) (“SAIC”), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia issued an important and broad-ranging decision interpreting the federal False Claims Act (“FCA”), 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq.
- [Court Rules Breach of Fiduciary Duty Counterclaim in False Claims Act Case Impermissibly Seeks Indemnification](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/court-rules-breach-of-fiduciary-duty-counterclaim-in-false-claims-act-case-impermissibly-seeks-indemnification/) - In United States ex rel. Nehls v. Omnicare, Inc., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 102543 (E.D. Ill. July 23, 2013), the Eastern District of Illinois dismissed an FCA defendant’s state-law breach of fiduciary duty counterclaim against a relator because it implicitly and impermissibly sought a contribution from the relator in the event that the defendant was found liable.
- [2nd Circuit Court of Appeals Rules on Proper Measure of Damage in Grant Fraud Case](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/2nd-circuit-court-of-appeals-rules-on-proper-measure-of-damage-in-grant-fraud-case/) - In U.S. ex rel. Feldman v. Gorp and Cornell Univ. Medical Colleges, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 18667 (2nd Cir. Sept 5, 2012), the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in an opinion authored by Judge Robert D. Sack upheld a trial court ruling that the proper measure of damages in a
- [6th Circuit Court of Appeals Applies “Alter Ego” Doctrine and Interprets “Reckless Disregard” Standard](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/6th-circuit-court-of-appeals-applies-alter-ego-doctrine-and-interprets-reckless-disregard-standard/) - In United States ex rel. Williams v. Renal Care Group, et al., No. 11-5779, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 20806 (6th Cir. Oct. 5, 2012), the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued important rulings concerning the application of the “alter ego” doctrine and the False Claims Act’s “reckless disregard” standard.
- [D.C. District Court Applies First-to-File Rule](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/d-c-district-court-applies-first-to-file-rule/) - In United States ex rel. Shea v. Verizon Business Network Servs., No. 1:09-cv-1050 (GK), 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 163525 (D.D.C. Nov. 15, 2012) (Kessler, J.), the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia held that the first-to-file rule in the False Claims Act (“FCA”), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., barred an action alleging that Verizon had included improper surcharges under contracts with the United States Postal Service, Department of Defense, Federal Emergency Management Agency, General Services Administration, Department of Justice, Department of Navy, and Federal Aviation Administration for telecommunication services when an earlier action alleged the same sort of improper surcharges by Verizon under other contracts with the General Services Administration.
- [U.S. District Court in South Carolina Rules on Permissible Counterclaims in FCA Action](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-in-south-carolina-rules-on-permissible-counterclaims-in-fca-action/) - In United States ex rel. Battiata v. Puchalski, No. 3:11-cv-3360-CMC, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155053 (D.S.C. Oct. 30, 2012) (Currie, J.), the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina held that the defendants, who were sued under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., may not bring counterclaims against the relators for “dependent” damages, defined as damages which arise from a finding of liability under the FCA against the qui tam defendant, id. at *24.
- [Massachusetts District Court Rules Compliance with Adverse Event Reporting Rules Is Not a Material, Precondition of Payment](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/massachusetts-district-court-rules-compliance-with-adverse-event-reporting-rules-is-not-a-material-precondition-of-payment/) - In United States ex rel. Ge v. Takeda Pharm. Co., Civil Action Nos. 10-11043-FDS, 11-10343-FDS, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 156752 (D. Mass. Nov. 1, 2012) (Saylor, J.), the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts held that the defendant drug companies’ compliance with the duty to report adverse drug events to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) was not a material precondition to payment of the claims at issue in the case, foreclosing liability under the False Claims Act and subjecting the relator’s qui tam action case to dismissal.
- [6th Circuit Court of Appeals Rules that FCA’s Amended False Statements Liability Provision Applies to All Actions Pending on June 7, 2008](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/6th-circuit-court-of-appeals-rules-that-fcas-amended-false-statements-liability-provision-applies-to-all-actions-pending-on-june-7-2008/) - In Sanders v. Allison Engine Co., Nos. 10-3818/10-3821, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 22655 (6th Cir. Nov. 2, 2012), the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on the effective date of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 (“FERA”) amendment to the False Claims Act (“FCA”) that clarified that the law imposes liability on those who make knowing, false statements material to false claims regardless of whether the maker of the false statement intended for the false statements to be relied upon by the government in determining whether to pay the claims.
- [U.S. District Court in Eastern District of New York Rules Claims for Drug Uses Outside Industry Guidelines Are Not Per Se False Claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-in-eastern-district-of-new-york-rules-claims-for-drug-uses-outside-industry-guidelines-are-not-per-se-false-claims/) - The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York in United States ex rel. Polansky v. Pfizer, Inc., 04 Civ. 0704 (BMC), 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 163557 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 14, 2012) (Cogan, J.), ruled that a drug manufacturer did not submit false claims in violation of the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., or violate Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules prohibiting “off-label” marketing when it allegedly marketed a drug for a use not covered by industry guidelines.
- [U.S. District Court in Maryland Rules on When the Government May Issue Civil Investigative Demands Under the False Claims Act](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-in-maryland-rules-on-when-the-government-may-issue-civil-investigative-demands-under-the-false-claims-act/) - The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in United States v. Kernan Hosp., Civil Action No. RDB-11-2961, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 165688 (D. Md. Nov. 20, 2012) (Bennett, J.), ruled that the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., does not authorize the United States to issue a civil investigative demand (CID) to investigate allegations that were the subject of a complaint that was dismissed without prejudice for lack of particularity.
- [Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Rules that Army Audit Agency and Government Accountability Office Reports Were Not “Public Disclosures” Under FCA’s Public Disclosure Bar](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/ninth-circuit-court-of-appeals-rules-that-army-audit-agency-and-government-accountability-office-reports-were-not-public-disclosures-under-fcas-public-disclosure-bar/) - In Berg v. Honeywell Int’l, Inc., No. 11-35001, 2012 U.S. App. LEXIS 25897 (9th Cir. Dec. 19, 2012), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the term “public disclosures” in the pre-2010 False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., does not include reports prepared on behalf of the Army Audit Agency (AAA) that have never been disclosed pursuant to FOIA, or reports issued by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) that lack the specificity required for the government to pursue a FCA investigation.
- [4th Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Dismissal under Rule 9(b) for Failure to “Plausibly” Allege Submission of False Claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/4th-circuit-court-of-appeals-affirms-dismissal-under-rule-9b-for-failure-to-plausibly-allege-submission-of-false-claims/) - In United States ex rel. Nathan v. Takeda Pharms. N. Am., Inc., No. 11-2077, 2013 U.S. App. LEXIS 765 (4th Cir. Jan. 11, 2013), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that, when a defendant’s alleged conduct “could have led, but need not necessarily have led” to the presentment of false claims to the government in violation of the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., then the relator “must allege with particularity that specific false claims actually were” submitted to the government.
- [U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri Rules that College’s Compliance with Program Participation Agreement Under Title IV of Higher Education Act of 1965 Was Material to Government’s Payment Decisions](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-for-the-western-district-of-missouri-rules-that-colleges-compliance-with-program-participation-agreement-under-title-iv-of-higher-education-act-of-1965-was-material-to-gov/) - In United States ex rel. Sillman v. Weston Edu. Inc., No. 4:11-CV-00112-NKL, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 175637 (W.D. Mo. Dec. 12, 2012), the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri held that the defendant for-profit college’s compliance with a program participation agreement (“PPA” or “program participation agreement”) under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) was material to the Government’s payment decisions.
- [U.S. District Court in Nevada Holds that Native American Tribes Are Not “Persons” Liable Under False Claims Act](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-in-nevada-holds-that-native-american-tribes-are-not-persons-liable-under-false-claims-act/) - In United States ex rel. Howard v. Shoshone Paiute Tribes, Case No. 2:10-cv-01890-GMN-PAL, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 182149 (D. Nev. Dec. 26, 2012), the U.S. District Court in Nevada ruled that Native American tribes are not “persons” subject to suit under the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq.
- [U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana Rules that False Claims Act as Amended by Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009 Does Not Prohibit Retaliation by Non-Employers](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-for-the-western-district-of-louisiana-rules-that-false-claims-act-as-amended-by-fraud-enforcement-and-recovery-act-of-2009-does-not-prohibit-retaliation-by-non-employers/) - The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in Howell v. Town of Ball, et al., Civil Action No. 12-951, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 181217 (W.D. La. Dec. 21, 2012) (Howell II), denied a plaintiff’s motion to reconsider its previous ruling that the False Claims Act (FCA), 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq., does not prohibit retaliation by non-employers.
- [U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia Grants Summary Judgment in Favor of Defendant in Action Brought Under FCA’s Anti-Retaliation Provision](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-for-the-eastern-district-of-virginia-grants-summary-judgment-in-favor-of-defendant-in-action-brought-under-fcas-anti-retaliation-provision/) - In Dillon v. SAIC, Inc., No. 1-12-CV-390, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11200 (E.D. Va. Jan. 28, 2013), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia granted the defendant government contractor’s motion for summary judgment in an action brought under the False Claims Act’s (“FCA”) anti-retaliation provision.
- [U.S. District Court for Southern District of Ohio Enforces Arbitration Agreement between Defendants and Plaintiffs in False Claims Act Action in Which Government Declined to Intervene](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/ohio-enforces-arbitration-agreement/) - In Deck v. Miami Jacobs Business College Co., No. 3:12-cv-63, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14845 (S.D. Ohio Jan. 31, 2013), the court ordered the defendants and the relators to arbitrate False Claims Act (FCA) claims and other non-FCA claims in an action in which the government declined to intervene.
- [Seventh Circuit Rejects Broad Interpretation of False Claims Act’s Public Disclosure Bar](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/seventh-circuit-rejects-broad-interpretation-of-false-claims-acts-public-disclosure-bar/) - In Leveski v. ITT Educational Services, Inc., the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit denounced a district court’s dismissal of a whistleblower complaint as “yet another instance” of a court applying the False Claims Act’s public disclosure bar at “too high a level of generality.”
- [U.S. District Court for Middle District of Florida Finds that Relator’s Action Is Not Precluded Under Public Disclosure Bar by Another Relator’s Qui Tam Action](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-for-middle-district-of-florida-finds-that-relators-action-is-not-precluded-under-public-disclosure-bar-by-another-relators-qui-tam-action/) - In United States ex rel. Ana v. Winter Park Urology Associates., P.A., No. 6:10-cv-806-Orl-28TBS, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19419 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 13, 2013), the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida held that the public disclosure bar did not apply when the alleged public disclosure was “another qui tam suit involving similar allegations against different defendants in another city.”
- [U.S. District Court for Central District of California Rules that Even Public Disclosures Lacking Particularity Operate as a Bar & Original Source Exception Requires Relator to Have Caused the Public Disclosures](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-for-central-district-of-california-rules-that-even-public-disclosures-lacking-particularity-operate-as-a-bar-original-source-exception-requires-relator-to-have-caused-the-public/) - U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled that public disclosures can bar a qui tam action even when they lack particularity and that a relator must have had a hand in the public disclosures to qualify as an original source.
- [U.S. District Court for Southern District of Indiana Holds That Fed. R. Civ. P. Rule 9(b) Does Not Require Relator to Plead Allegations with Particularity for All of Twenty Defendants When Defendants Are Engaged Together in Same Schemes](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/u-s-district-court-for-southern-district-of-indiana-holds-that-fed-r-civ-p-rule-9b-does-not-require-relator-to-plead-allegations-with-particularity-for-all-of-twenty-defendants-when-defendants/) - U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana found that the relators had met the pleading requirements of Fed. R. Civ. P. 9(b) in a qui tam action against twenty doctors and a medical practice group alleging three fraudulent billing schemes, notwithstanding the fact that, as stated by defendants, relators “lump” the individual defendants together into a “homogenous group.”
- [District Court Declines to Dismiss Whistleblower False Claims Act Case Alleging Medicare Part D Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/district-court-declines-to-dismiss-whistleblower-false-claims-act-case-alleging-medicare-part-d-fraud/) - In United States ex rel. Spay v. CVS Caremark Corp., Civil Action No. 09-4672, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 180602 (E.D. Pa. Dec. 20, 2012), the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled that a False Claims Act (“FCA”) whistleblower complaint alleging that defendant pharmacy benefits managers knowingly submitted false claims to the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program stated a claim for relief under the FCA, 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729 et seq.
- [District Court Finds Fees Paid to Qui Tam Counsel in 2003 are Deductible](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/district-court-finds-fees-paid-to-qui-tam-counsel-in-2003-are-deductible/) - In Bagley v. United States, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 109801 (C.D. Cal. Aug. 5, 2013), the US District Court for the Central District of California held that a qui tam relator who diligently assisted the government throughout the litigation of two federal False Claims Act (FCA) cases against the defense contractor, TRW, Inc., investing almost 6,000 hours of his time over 9 years, could deduct his attorney’s fees from the taxes owed on his recoveries in the actions because they were “ordinary and necessary expenses” relating to a “trade or business” within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. § 162(a) .
- [Federal Circuit Rejects “Fraud in Inducement” Theory in Kickback Case](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/federal-circuit-rejects-fraud-in-inducement-theory-in-kickback-case/) - In Kellogg Brown & Root Svcs., Inc. v. United States,, 2013 U.S. App. LEXIS 18447 (Fed. Cir. Sept. 5, 2013), the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit rejected “fraud in the inducement” as a viable theory for finding all claims submitted under a contract obtained through kickbacks to be false and also refused to presume that the kickbacks inflated the amount of the contractor’s invoices.
- [Qui Tam Counsel may Receive Contingent Interest Plus Statutory Fees, District Court Rules](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/qui-tam-counsel-may-receive-contingent-interest-plus-statutory-fees-district-court-rules/) - In US ex rel. DePace v. Cooper Health Systems, 2013 WL 1707952 (D.N.J. April 22, 2013), the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey soundly rejected a relator’s challenges to the provisions in his retainer agreement that provided for counsel to be compensated for services both through a contingency interest in any relator share award and any statutory fees recovered from defendant.
- [D.C. District Court Rules FCA Claims Survive Relator’s Death](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/d-c-district-court-rules-fca-claims-survive-relators-death/) - In a case involving allegations by two relators that a government subcontractor submitted false invoices for information technology services, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia joined the resounding chorus and held that the claims that a qui tam plaintiff asserts on behalf of the United States survive his death. U.S.
- [7th Circuit Adopts “Net Trebling” Approach for FCA Damages](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/7th-circuit-adopts-net-trebling-approach-for-fca-damages/) - In U.S. v. Anchor Mortgage Corp., 711 F.3d 745 (7th Cir. 2013), the Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit rejected the district court’s use of a “gross trebling” approach to compute False Claims Act damages in a case involving false statements made to obtain federal housing loan guarantees.
- [1st Circuit Rules Non-Specific Complaint Can Trigger First-to-File Bar](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/1st-circuit-rules-non-specific-complaint-can-trigger-first-to-file-bar/) - Agreeing with the decision by the D.C. Circuit in United States ex rel. Batiste v. SLM Corp., 659 F.3d 1204 ( 2011), and rejecting the reasoning of the 6th Circuit in Walburn v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 431 F.3d 966 (6th Cir. 2005), the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in U.S. ex rel. Heineman-Guta v. Guidant Corp., 718 F.3d 28 (1st Cir. May 13, 2013), that a qui tamcomplaint need not meet the “particularity” requirements of Rule 9(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure in order to bar a later-filed complaint under the False Claims Act’s first-to-file provision, 31 U.S.C. ‘ 3730( b)(5).
- [4th Circuit Rules Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act Tolls Qui Tam Claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/wartime-suspension-of-limitations-act-tolls-qui-tam-claims/) - In a case in which the U.S. Supreme Court has now accepted certioriari, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in March 2013 that a qui tam plaintiff may rely upon the five year tolling provision in the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act (WSLA) even when the United States has declined to intervene in the action.
- [District Court Finds no Seal Breach if Relator Didn’t Reference “Qui Tam” Filing](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/district-court-finds-no-seal-breach-if-relator-didnt-reference-qui-tam-filing/) - In U.S. ex rel. Gale v. Omnicare, Inc. , 2013 US DIST LEXIS 80436 (N.D. Ohio June 7, 2013), the district court denied a motion by defendant to disqualify the relator, a former Omnicare employee, for breaches of the seal during the government’s investigation, including, in particular, alleged discussions about his qui tam action with his spouse and communications with work colleagues referencing a “whistle” and visits to a lawyer’s office.
- [E.D. Pa. District Court Undertakes Granular Inquiry into First-to-File Challenge in False Claims Act Lawsuit](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/e-d-pa-district-court-undertakes-granular-inquiry-into-first-to-file-challenge-in-false-claims-act-lawsuit/) - In U.S. ex rel. Galmines v. Novartis, 2013 U.S. DIST LEXIS 83100 (E.D. Pa. 2013), the United States District Court refused to dismiss the off-label marketing allegations by the relator, a former Novartis sales representative, when an earlier case alleging off-label marketing of the very same dermatological drug – Elidel – focused on a “different off-label promotion scheme”.
- [Court Holds Relator’s “Unclean Hands” is Irrelevant to Defendant’s Liability for False Claims Act Violations](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/court-holds-relators-unclean-hands-is-irrelevant-to-defendants-liability-for-false-claims-act-violations/) - In United States ex rel. Gale v. Omnicare, Inc., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 102658 (N.D. Ohio July 23, 2013), the Northern District of Ohio rejected a qui tam defendant’s “unclean hands” defense on the ground that the defendant lacked standing to assert the relator’s possible wrongdoing as a shield to its own liability.
- [S.D Florida Holds Government’s Consent Not Needed for Settlement of Declined Qui Tam](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/s-d-florida-holds-governments-consent-not-needed-for-settlement-of-declined-qui-tam/) - In United States ex rel. Osheroff v. MCCI Grp. Holdings, LLC, 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108741 (Aug. 2, 2013), the Southern District of Florida held in a non-intervened case that a relator could enforce a settlement in principle with a defendant even though the settlement agreement had not yet been reduced to a writing approved by the United States.
- [1st Circuit Rules Relator’s Discovery Initially May be Limited to Particularized Allegations](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/1st-circuit-rules-relators-discovery-initially-may-be-limited-to-particularized-allegations/) - In U.S. ex rel. Duxbury v. Ortho Biotech Products, 719 F.3d 31 (1st Cir. 2013), the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the district court’s decision to deny relator’s requests for discovery of defendant’s practices throughout the nation and over a seven year period when relator had failed during prior discovery to uncover any evidence of the misconduct that she alleged with particularity in the complaint – - misconduct that involved only the Western region of the United States and a two year period.
- [W.D. PA. Rules Qui Tam Claims not Tolled by Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/w-d-pa-rules-qui-tam-claims-not-tolled-by-wartime-suspension-of-limitations-act/) - In United States ex rel. Emanuele v. Medicor Assocs., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 104650 (W.D. Pa. July 26, 2013), the Western District of Pennsylvania held in a non-intervened case that a private relator cannot rely on the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act (WSLA) to toll the limitations statute for FCA claims.
- [Fourth Circuit Holds That FCA’s Amended Public Disclosure Provision Does Not Apply Retroactively When Case Alleges Pre-Amendment Misconduct](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/fourth-circuit-holds-that-fcas-amended-public-disclosure-provision-does-not-apply-retroactively-when-case-alleges-pre-amendment-misconduct/) - In United States ex rel. May v. Perdue Pharma, L.P., 2013 U.S. App. LEXIS 24708 (4th Cir. Dec. 12, 2013), the Fourth Circuit ruled that the version of the FCA’s public disclosure bar in effect prior to a 2010 amendment applies to cases based on pre-amendment misconduct.
- [Fourth Circuit Holds That Pharmacy’s Violations of FDA Processing Regulations Do Not Cause False Claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/fourth-circuit-holds-that-pharmacys-violations-of-fda-processing-regulations-do-not-cause-false-claims/) - In United States ex rel. Rostholder v. Omnicare, Inc., 2014 U.S. App, LEXIS 3269 (4th Cir. Feb. 21, 2014) the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit held that claims submitted to federal healthcare programs for drugs that a pharmacy re-packaged in violation of FDA processing regulations were not false claims.
- [Third Circuit Rules that Plaintiffs Don’t Need to Provide a Representative Sample of Actual False Claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/third-circuit-rules-that-plaintiffs-dont-need-to-provide-a-representative-sample-of-actual-false-claims/) - In United States ex rel. Foglia v. Renal Ventures Management, Inc., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 10549 (3d Cir. June 6, 2014), the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit joined the First, Fifth and Ninth Circuits and ruled that a “nuanced” reading of the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 9(b) applies to False Claims Act cases, requiring only that the plaintiff provide details of a scheme to submit false claims paired with reliable indicia that lead to a strong inference that claims were actually submitted, without necessarily providing a representative sample of the actual false claims.
- [Fourth Circuit Adopts Implied Certification Theory For Violations of Material Contract Terms and Rejects Challenge to Relator’s Standing Following Government’s Intervention](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/fourth-circuit-adopts-implied-certification-theory-for-violations-of-material-contract-terms-and-rejects-challenge-to-relators-standing-following-governments-intervention/) - In U.S. ex rel. Badr v. Triple Canopy, Inc., 773 F.3d 628 (4th Cir. Jan. 8, 2015) the Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recognized that the knowing violation of a contractual term can lead to FCA liability for false claims under an implied certification theory if the “Government’s decision to pay . . . would be influenced” by knowledge that the contractual provision had been violated; and the Court relied in part on “common sense” to assess the materiality of the provision.
- [Fifth Circuit Rebukes District Court For Overly General Application of the Public Disclosure Bar](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/fifth-circuit-rebukes-district-court-for-overly-general-application-of-the-public-disclosure-bar/) - In U.S. ex rel. Little v. Shell Exploration, No. 14-20156, 2015 U.S. App. LEXIS 2824 (5th Cir. Feb. 23, 2015) the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit chastised the court below for applying the public disclosure bar at too high a level of generality
- [Seventh Circuit Gives Green Light to Claims that Pharmacies Bilk Medicare Part D and Medicaid When They Fail to Offer Discount Program Prices](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/seventh-circuit-gives-green-light-to-claims-that-pharmacies-bilk-medicare-part-d-and-medicaid-when-they-fail-to-offer-discount-program-prices/) - In United States ex rel. Garbe v. Kmart Corp., 2016 U.S. App. LEXIS 9743 (7th Cir. May 27, 2016) the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upheld the district court’s summary judgment ruling that a pharmacy chain that fails to offer its prescription savings club prices to Medicaid and Medicare Part D violates

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.vsg-law.com/) - The qui tam attorneys at Vogel, Slade & Goldstein have pursued over 100 False Claims Act cases and rank #1 for winning monetary awards for whistleblowers.
- [Contact VSG](https://www.vsg-law.com/contact/) - Contact Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, a leading whistleblower law firm ranked #1 nationwide for winning monetary awards for whistleblowers. Call us (202) 537-5900.
- [Gwendolyn A. Stamper](https://www.vsg-law.com/about-vsg/gwendolyn-a-stamper/) - A prominent litigator and experienced former federal prosecutor, Gwen Stamper represents whistleblowers nationwide. She is a partner at Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, a firm ranked #1 nationwide for winning monetary awards in False Claims Act cases.
- [Shelley R. Slade](https://www.vsg-law.com/about-vsg/shelley-slade-top-whistleblower-attorney/) - Named "Top Whistleblower Attorney", Shelley R. Slade represents whistleblowers nationwide, successfully winning substantial awards for her clients. She is a partner at Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, a leading qui tam law firm ranked #1 for winning monetary awards.
- [Janet L. Goldstein](https://www.vsg-law.com/about-vsg/janet-goldstein-best-whistleblower-lawyer/) - Recognized as a Washington "Best Whistleblower Attorney", qui tam lawyer Janet Goldstein has successfully pursued False Claims Act cases for over 25 years. Her law firm is ranked #1 for achieving monetary awards. Call Janet at (202) 537-5900 for a confidential consultation.
- [How VSG Whistleblower Attorneys Work](https://www.vsg-law.com/about-vsg/whistleblower-attorneys-faq/) - Learn about whistleblower attorney fees and how the experienced attorneys at VSG work with clients to blow the whistle on fraud and win substantial awards. Our qui tam firm is ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for whistleblowers. Call us today for a confidential consultation.
- [About VSG](https://www.vsg-law.com/about-vsg/) - The qui tam lawyers at Vogel, Slade & Goldstein are ranked #1 nationwide and bring extensive experience handling fraud matters for the US Dept of Justice. Based in Washington DC, our whistleblower attorneys have worked with clients in 25+ states, often in collaboration with local counsel.
- [Robert L. Vogel](https://www.vsg-law.com/about-vsg/robert-vogel-false-claims-act-attorney/) - Named Whistleblower Lawyer of the Year, False Claims Act attorney Rob Vogel has been representing qui tam clients blowing the whistle on fraud since 1990. He founded Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, a firm ranked #1 nationwide for winning monetary awards in False Claims Act cases.
- [Legal Staff](https://www.vsg-law.com/about-vsg/legal-staff/) - Meet the staff at Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, a Washington DC based qui tam law firm that is ranked #1 nationwide for winning monetary awards for whistleblowers. Call (202) 537-5900 today for a confidential consultation.
- [Civil Cyber Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/civil-cyber-fraud/) - Get the facts about civil cyber fraud and the False Claims Act from the whistleblower attorneys ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for whistleblowers.
- [Practice Areas](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/) - VSG represents whistleblowers in False Claims Act cases related to types of government fraud and is ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for their clients. Call the experienced whistleblower attorneys at Vogel, Slade & Goldstein at (202) 537-5900 for a confidential consultation.
- [Cybersecurity Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/cybersecurity-whistleblower-lawyer/) - Do you need a whistleblower lawyer for cybersecurity fraud? Get the facts about cyber fraud and whistleblower rewards from the nation's top qui tam law firm.
- [Department of Defense Contractor Cybersecurity Requirements](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/cybersecurity-whistleblower-lawyer/defense-contractor-requirements/) - Cybersecurity laws, regulations and rules Department of Defense contractors and subcontractors must comply with to avoid False Claims Act violations.
- [Tips for Potential Cybersecurity Whistleblowers](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/cybersecurity-whistleblower-lawyer/cybersecurity-whistleblower-tips/) - Thinking of blowing the whistle on cybersecurity fraud against the government? Tips for potential whistleblowers from the country’s leading qui tam lawyers.
- [NASA Contractor Cybersecurity Requirements](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/cybersecurity-whistleblower-lawyer/nasa-contractor-requirements/) - Cybersecurity requirements, laws and regulations NASA contractors and subcontractors must comply with to avoid False Claims Act violations.
- [GSA Public Buildings Service Contractor Cybersecurity Requirements](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/cybersecurity-whistleblower-lawyer/gsa-contractor-requirements/) - Cybersecurity requirements and laws, updated July 2021, that GSA Public Building Service contractors must comply with to avoid False Claims Act violations.
- [Generally Applicable Cybersecurity Requirements](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/cybersecurity-whistleblower-lawyer/government-contractor-requirements/) - Guidance on cybersecurity laws, regulations and rules government contractors and subcontractors must comply with to avoid False Claims Act violations.
- [Do You Need Whistleblower Protection against Retaliation?](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/whistleblower-protection/) - Do you need whistleblower protection? Learn about your rights under the False Claims Act and how our experienced whistleblower retaliation lawyers can help. We help protect individuals whose careers and reputations are threatened because they had the courage to stand up for what is right.
- [Pharmaceutical Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/pharmaceutical-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/) - Do you need a whistleblower attorney for pharmaceutical fraud? Get the facts about fraud and whistleblower rewards from the nation's top qui tam law firm.
- [Violations of Good Manufacturing Practices](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/pharmaceutical-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/violations-good-manufacturing-practices/) - Drug makers have to comply with "Good Manufacturing Practices" (GMPs) that ensure their products are free of defects, degradation, or contamination.
- [Off-Label Marketing](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/pharmaceutical-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/off-label-marketing/) - VSG whistleblower lawyers are experienced in pharmaceutical off-label marketing fraud cases and are leaders in winning rewards for whistleblower clients.
- [Kickbacks](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/pharmaceutical-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/kickbacks/) - A pharmaceutical kickback is the practice of paying or soliciting cash for referring patients or promoting products that result in payment by Medicare/Medicaid.
- [Violations of Usual & Customary Charges](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/pharmaceutical-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/violations-usual-customary-charges/) - Pharmacies that charge Medicaid higher prices for prescription meds than their "usual and customary charges" may face liability under the False Claims Act.
- [Violations of Prescriptions and Licensing Requirements](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/pharmaceutical-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/violations-prescriptions-licensing-requirements/) - When pharmacies violate prescription or licensing requirements and bill a government healthcare plan, they face potential liability under the False Claims Act.
- [Whistleblower Settlements](https://www.vsg-law.com/whistleblower-settlements/) - VSG's qui tam lawyers have successfully represented whistleblowers, winning significant False Claims Act recoveries and qui tam settlements. See our cases. Call 202-537-5900 for a confidential consultation with the qui tam law firm ranked #1 for winning monetary awards.
- [General Healthcare Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/) - Wondering how to blow the whistle on healthcare fraud? Get the facts about healthcare fraud and the False Claims Act from the top healthcare qui tam attorneys. Whistleblowers have recovered billions of dollars of government funds taken through fraud against the Medicare and TRICARE programs.
- [Do I have a qui tam case?](https://www.vsg-law.com/what-is-qui-tam/do-i-have-a-qui-tam-case/) - Thinking about blowing the whistle on fraud against the Government? Here is how to know if you have a good qui tam case and what to consider before you do. Call 202-537-5900 for a confidential consultation with the qui tam law firm ranked #1 for winning monetary awards.
- [Ambulance Transport Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/ambulance-transport-fraud/) - Get the facts about ambulance billing fraud and qui tam whistleblower lawsuits under the False Claims Act against perpetrators of ambulance Medicare fraud. To learn how to blow the whistle on ambulance fraud, call the qui tam lawyers ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for their clients.
- [What is Qui Tam?](https://www.vsg-law.com/what-is-qui-tam/) - A qui tam lawsuit is a whistleblower lawsuit brought under the False Claims Act, which rewards the whistleblower a percentage of government funds recovered.
- [Why VSG Is Among the Country’s Best Qui Tam Law Firms](https://www.vsg-law.com/about-vsg/best-qui-tam-law-firms/) - Vogel, Slade & Goldstein ranks among the nation's best qui tam law firms and was recently named #1 for achieving monetary awards for whistleblower clients. We have been representing whistleblowers nationwide for over 25 years. Call us at (202) 537-5900 for a confidential consultation.
- [Practical Tips for Whistleblowers](https://www.vsg-law.com/whistleblower-lawyer-tips/) - VSG's leading qui tam lawyers offer invaluable whistleblower tips, resources and helpful information about bringing a qui tam lawsuit under the False Claims Act. Learn about the process and things to consider before blowing the whistle.
- [Buy American Act Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/buy-american-act-fraud/) - A contractor can defraud the Government by knowingly providing goods that were procured in violation of the Buy American Act and U.S. Trade Agreements Act. False Claims Act lawsuits may be brought against companies who knowingly violate the Buy American Act.
- [Do you Need an SEC or CFTC Whistleblower Attorney?](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/cftc-sec-whistleblower-attorney/) - Get the facts about securities and commodities trading fraud and how SEC and CFTC Whistleblower Programs reward and protect whistleblowers. Whistleblowers receive an award of 10-30% of the amount recovered from an investigation sparked by their information.
- [TINA Violations](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/tina-violations/) - TINA requires contractors who are negotiating certain government contracts to submit cost and pricing data to the Government that is accurate and complete. TINA violations can be referred to as "defective pricing" and occur when contractors deliberately withhold or falsify cost and pricing data.
- [GSA Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/gsa-fraud/) - Fraud against the GSA occurs when a company selling items to the Government under a MAS contract fails to disclose accurate pricing or discounting info. Call the experienced government contractor fraud whistleblower lawyers at VSG at (202) 537-5900 for a confidential consultation.
- [Grant & Research Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/grant-research-fraud/) - The experienced federal grant fraud lawyers at VSG have represented grant fraud whistleblowers nationwide, successfully winning substantial awards for clients. False Claims Act lawsuits may be brought against companies that knowingly violate the terms of their government grants.
- [Defense Contractor Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/defense-contractor-fraud/) - For over 20 years, the defense contractor fraud lawyers at VSG have represented whistleblowers nationwide, successfully winning substantial awards for clients. We have filed False Claims Act lawsuits against and recovered settlements from some of the biggest companies in the defense industry.
- [Cross-Charging and Mischarging](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/cross-charging-mischarging/) - Cross-charging is when a contractor performs work on one contract but charges the work to another contract. Mischarging is when a contractor inflates bills. Cross-charging and mischarging are common types of procurement fraud that may serve as a basis for a False Claims Act qui tam lawsuit.
- [Construction & Public Works Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/construction-public-works-fraud/) - Get the facts about public works construction fraud and the False Claims Act from qui tam attorneys ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for whistleblowers. Call the experienced government contractor fraud whistleblower attorneys at VSG at (202) 537-5900 for a confidential consultation.
- [Bribery & Bid-Rigging](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/bribery-bid-rigging/) - Under the False Claims Act, a qui tam lawsuit may be brought against a contractor who engages in bribery and bid-rigging to secure government contracts. Call the experienced government contract fraud whistleblower attorneys at VSG at (202) 537-5900 for a confidential consultation.
- [Government Contractor Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/) - Get the facts about government contractor fraud and the False Claims Act from qui tam attorneys ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for whistleblowers. Contact the experienced federal fraud whistleblower attorneys at Vogel, Slade & Goldstein at (202) 537-5900 for a confidential consultation.
- [Medically Unnecessary Services](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/medically-unnecessary-services/) - Healthcare services are considered "medically unnecessary" when they are not "reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury." Such services are not reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid, and purposely billing medically unnecessary services violates the False Claims Act.
- [Long Term Care, Hospice, and Skilled Nursing Facilities Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/long-term-care-skilled-nursing-facilities-fraud/) - Get the facts on hospice fraud and fraud by skilled nursing and long-term care facilities under the False Claims Act, and learn how to blow the whistle on fraud. Contact the top healthcare qui tam attorneys at 202-537-5900 for a confidential conversation.
- [Laboratory Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/laboratory-fraud/) - Get the facts on laboratory fraud and successful whistleblower cases under the False Claims Act involving healthcare fraud by clinical laboratories. Call the experienced qui tam attorneys at Vogel, Slade & Goldstein at (202) 537-5900 for a confidential consultation.
- [False Claims Act FAQs](https://www.vsg-law.com/what-is-qui-tam/false-claims-act-faqs/) - The nation's top qui tam lawyers answer questions about the False Claims Act, whistleblower rewards, whistleblower protection and how to file a qui tam case. Call the experienced attorneys at Vogel, Slade & Goldstein at (202) 537-5900 for a confidential consultation.
- [Hospital Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/hospital-fraud/) - Hospital fraud under the False Claims Act involves schemes used by hospitals to increase reimbursements from federal and state health insurance programs. Call 202-537-5900 to learn how to blow the whistle on hospital fraud from the lawyers ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for their clients.
- [Home Healthcare Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/home-healthcare-fraud/) - Home healthcare fraud under the False Claims Act includes billing federal and state health insurance for not provided and/or medically unnecessary services. Call 202-537-5900 to learn how to blow the whistle on fraud from the lawyers ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for their clients.
- [Fraud by Medical Practices](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/fraud-medical-practices/) - Medical practice fraud can include billing for services that were unnecessary or not provided, upcoding, and paying or receiving kickbacks for patient referrals. Call 202-537-5900 to learn how to blow the whistle on fraud from the lawyers ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for their clients.
- [Device Manufacturer Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/device-manufacturer-fraud/) - Get the facts about medical device manufacturer fraud under the False Claims Act and successful qui tam manufacturer fraud cases brought by whistleblowers. Call 202-537-5900 to learn how to blow the whistle on medical device fraud from lawyers ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for clients.
- [Coding Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/coding-fraud/) - Get the facts about medical coding fraud and what types of medical billing fraud may serve as the basis for a successful False Claims Act whistleblower lawsuit. Call 202-537-5900 to learn how to blow the whistle on coding fraud from lawyers ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for clients.
- [Anti-Kickback and Stark Act Violations](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/false-claims-act-healthcare-fraud/anti-kickback-stark-act-violations/) - Get the facts about the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Act violations and successful False Claims Act whistleblower cases alleging AKS or Stark Violations. Call 202-537-5900 to learn how to blow the whistle on anti-kickback violations from lawyers ranked #1 for winning monetary awards for clients.
- [Insights For Whistleblowers and Qui Tam Attorneys](https://www.vsg-law.com/insights-for-whistleblowers-and-qui-tam-attorneys/) - VSG's leading qui tam attorneys discuss the ins and outs of bringing qui tam lawsuits and key developments that whistleblowers and lawyers should know about
- [The Lawyer’s Corner: The Blog for the Qui Tam Attorney](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/) - Insights on recent and significant False Claims Act court rulings, qui tam cases and whistleblower lawsuits from qui tam law firm Vogel, Slade & Goldstein.
- [News](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/) - Get the latest news about Federal and State False Claims Acts, whistleblower lawsuits and qui tam cases from the nation’s top whistleblower lawyers.
- [Defective Products & Services, Testing & Quality Assurance Violations](https://www.vsg-law.com/practice-areas/government-contractor-fraud-whistleblower-attorney/defective-products-services/) - When a contrator supplies products or services that it knows are defective or otherwise falls short of significant contract specifications.
- [Sitemap](https://www.vsg-law.com/site-map/)

## Client

- [Off-Label Marketing](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/off-label-marketing/) - Pfizer Inc. paid $491 million to settle allegations raised by a firm client that Wyeth Inc., a pharmaceutical manufacturer acquired by Pfizer, had illegally marketed the kidney transplant drug Rapamune for uses that had not been approved by the Food & Drug Administration. The firm’s client shared the relator share award with whistleblowers in another
- [Drug Manufacturer Kickbacks to Specialty Pharmacies](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/drug-manufacturer-kickbacks-to-specialty-pharmacies/) - Accredo Health Group, Inc. and Bioscrip, Inc. two specialty pharmacy chains, paid a combined total of $75 million to settle qui tam whistleblower claims in a False Claims Act lawsuit that also named as a defendant the Swiss drug manufacturer, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. The case alleged the companies participated in a kickback scheme involving the
- [Violating Usual & Customary Charge Requirments](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/violating-usual-and-customary-charges-requirements/) - Omnicare, Inc. paid more than $20 million to resolve allegations made by a firm qui tam whistleblower client that the pharmacy chain knowingly overbilled the Medicaid programs of Massachusetts and Michigan as a result of its failure to comply with the “usual and customary charge” billing rule. Read Press Release
- [National Chain Pharmacy Over-Bills Medicare and Medicaid for Insulin Pens](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/national-chain-pharmacy-over-bills-medicare-and-medicaid-for-insulin-pens/) - Walgreens, the nation’s second largest pharmacy chain, paid $209 million in January 2019 to settle allegations by two VSG clients that the pharmacy knowingly billed government health programs for medically unnecessary quantities of insulin pens. The whistleblowers, both of whom worked for Walgreens, claimed that Walgreens programmed its dispensing and billing software program so that
- [Kickbacks to Long Term Care Pharmacy](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/kickbacks-to-long-term-care-pharmacy/) - Johnson & Johnson, Inc., paid $149 million to settle allegations in cases filed by two qui tam whistleblowers, including a firm client, that the pharmaceutical giant paid kickbacks to long term care pharmacy chain Omnicare to induce Omnicare to recommend the atypical antipsychotic Risperdal for residents of nursing homes serviced by Omnicare. Read Press Release
- [Drug Manufacturer Kickback on Specialty Medications](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/drug-manufacturer-kickback-on-specialty-medications/) - Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation paid $390 million to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit brought by a VSG client who alleged the company paid kickbacks to specialty pharmacies so they would recommend to doctors and patients six of Novartis’ specialty medications. The $465 million aggregate recovery in the case was, at the time, the largest recovery ever in
- [Evading Caps on Reimbursement for Services](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/evading-caps-on-reimbursement-for-services/) - NIPSI, a pharmacy company, paid over $7 million to resolve allegations in a qui tam whistleblower case alleging that it overstated the cost of intravenous drugs.
- [Drug Switching to Inflate Medicaid Reimbursement](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/drug-switching-to-inflate-medicaid-reimbursement/) - Omnicare, Inc. the nation’s largest long term care pharmacy chain, paid $49.5 million to settle allegations made by two qui tam whistleblowers, including a firm client, that it switched the form of patient medications (e.g., tablets to capsules) without physician approval in order to maximize Medicaid reimbursement.
- [Drug Manufacturer Kickbacks on Generic Drugs](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/drug-manufacturer-kickbacks-on-generic-drugs/) - Ivax Pharmaceuticals a manufacturer of generic medications, paid $14 million to resolve qui tam whistleblower claims by a firm client that it paid kickbacks to become Omnicare’s exclusive supplier of certain generic medications.
- [Hospital Cost Report Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/hospital-cost-report-fraud/) - Tenet Healthcare, Inc., operator of the nation’s second largest health care chain at the time, paid more than $900 million to settle claims in multiple qui tam whistleblower lawsuits that it had over-billed Medicare through use of an overstated “cost-to-charge” ratio that inflated “outlier” and other cost-based payments sought by this hospital chain.
- [Navy Billing Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/navy-billing-fraud/) - Inchcape Shipping Services, one of the world’s largest providers of marine support services, agreed to pay $20 million to settle a VSG whistleblower lawsuit accusing Inchcape of overbilling the Navy for services provided to Navy ships in ports around the world. VSG’s clients were awarded $4.4 million, 22% of the settlement proceeds.
- [Kickbacks to Induce Unnecessary Hospital Admissions](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/kickbacks-to-induce-unnecessary-hospital-admissions/) - EmCare, Inc. paid more than $30 million to settle qui tam claims brought by VSG clients and another set of relators, alleging that EmCare received kickbacks from a major hospital chain in exchange for pressuring hospital emergency room (ER) doctors to increase the rate of ER-to-hospital admissions. EmCare also entered into a confidential settlement with VSG’s client
- [Multiple Award Schedule False Claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/multiple-award-schedule-false-claims/) - CA Inc., a major supplier of software to federal agencies, paid $45 million to settle a False Claims Act lawsuit by a VSG client who alleged that the company misrepresented to the Government the nature and extent of the pricing discounts that the company was providing to its commercial customers.
- [Buy American Act Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/buy-american-act-fraud/) - A government contractor paid over $5 million to settle allegations in a qui tam lawsuit that it sold supplies to the United States in violation of its contractual obligations to adhere to the Buy American Act and the Small Business Act.
- [Inflated Cost Estimates on Government Contracts](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/inflated-cost-estimates-on-government-contracts/) - The Gallup Organization paid $10.5 million to resolve allegations that it defrauded the United States Government by submitting false and inflated labor hours and cost estimates in connection with price negotiations for fixed-price contracts to conduct polling for the U.S. Mint and State Department, and by obtaining Government contract work from FEMA while engaging in
- [TINA Violation](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/truth-in-negotiations-act-fraud/) - Hughes Aircraft Company paid $10 million to settle claims in a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit alleging that it submitted defective cost and pricing data under the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA) in connection with a U.S. Air Force procurement.
- [Ambulance Transport Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/ambulance-transport-fraud/) - Adventist Health System Sunbelt Healthcare Corporation, a hospital system, paid $8.7 million to resolve whistleblower claims in a qui tam case that it overcharged Medicare for costs of ambulance services.
- [Government Security Contractor Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/government-security-contractor-fraud/) - ArmorGroup North America paid $7.5 million to settle a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit alleging that it submitted false claims to the State Department on its contract to guard the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.
- [Medically Unnecessary Radiology Services](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/medically-unnecessary-radiology-services/) - Florida radiologist Fred Steinberg paid $7 million to settle qui tam whistleblower claims in a qui tam lawsuit that he billed Medicare for medical imaging tests that were not ordered and were medically unnecessary. The settlement was among the largest recoveries ever for Medicare fraud against a single physician and his practice.
- [Government Contractor Double Billing](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/government-contractor-double-billing/) - Martin Marietta Corporation, a defense contractor, paid $5.3 million to settle a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit alleging that it double-billed the Government for engineering costs.
- [Durable Medical Equipment Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/durable-medical-equipment-fraud/) - Home Americair of California, Inc., a durable medical equipment company that supplied home oxygen, paid $5 million to the Government to settle claims in a qui tam whistleblower case that it used false records to support claims to Medicare.
- [Billing Fraud by Medical Device Manufacturer](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/biling-fraud-by-medical-device-manufacturer/) - Becton Dickinson & Co., a medical device manufacturer, paid $3.3 million to settle a qui tam whistleblower case alleging that the contractor overcharged the Department of Veterans Affairs for devices after failing to disclose more favorable prices provided to commercial customers.
- [Medical Device Manufacturer Kickbacks](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/medical-device-manufacturer-kickbacks/) - Blackstone Medical Inc., a medical device manufacturer, and former orthopedic surgeon Patrick Chan, paid $3.3 million to settle allegations in a qui tam whistleblower action that Blackstone paid kickbacks to surgeons who used Blackstone products.
- [Military Parts Testing & Quality Assurance Violations](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/military-parts-testing-quality-assurance-violations/) - M/A Com, Inc., a defense manufacturer, paid $3 million to resolve a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit alleging that it falsified testing documents for a product used on military aircraft.
- [Government Contract and Customs Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/government-contract-and-customs-fraud/) - ESM Group Inc., a manufacturer of magnesium products, paid $2 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by causing the sale of infrared countermeasure flares to the U.S. Army that did not conform to contract requirements, and by knowingly evading U.S. Customs duties on magnesium powder it imported from China.
- [Radiology Billing Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/radiology-billing-fraud/) - Drew Medical Center, Inc., a Florida diagnostic radiology company, agreed to pay approximately $1.5 million to resolve qui tam whistleblower claims in a qui tam suit that it systemically charged Medicare for venograms although the company was not performing those procedures.
- [Government Cost Accounting Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/government-cost-accounting-fraud/) - A major defense contractor paid $82 million to settle a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit alleging that the contractor had falsely allocated commercial costs to government contracts.
- [Foreign Military Sales Program Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/foreign-military-sales-program-fraud/) - General Electric Company, in what was at the time the largest recovery for the government ever in a False Claims Act case, paid $59 million to settle a qui tam whistleblower lawsuit alleging that it had defrauded the Foreign Military Sales Program of the U.S. Department of Defense by diverting taxpayer funds to unapproved purposes,
- [Defective Medical Devices](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/defective-medical-devices/) - LifeScan, Inc., a medical device manufacturer, paid $30.6 million to settle allegations in a qui tam lawsuit that it sold defective blood glucose monitors to Medicare patients and failed to report adverse events to the FDA.
- [Overcharging Medicare for Emergency Physician Services](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/overcharging-medicare-for-emergency-physician-services/) - Emergency Physicians Billing Service paid over $28.8 million to resolve whistleblower claims in a qui tam lawsuit that it systematically overcharged Medicare for emergency physician services. The settlement followed a trial conducted by qui tam attorney Mr. Vogel, co-counsel, and government counsel that established the defendant’s liability under the False Claims Act.
- [Medicare Intermediary Quality Control Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/medicare-intermediary-quality-control-fraud/) - BlueCross/Blue Shield of Michigan, the fiscal intermediary for Medicare in Michigan, paid more than $27.6 million to settle qui tam whistleblower claims alleging that it cheated on quality control tests in order to misrepresent the quality of the auditing services it was providing for the Medicare program.
- [Grant Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/grant-fraud/) - New York State paid $27 million to resolve allegations in a whistleblower lawsuit that it submitted false claims for federal funds meant for the training of social service workers.
- [GSA Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/general-services-administration-fraud/) - Motorola, Inc., in what was at the time the largest civil recovery ever by the General Services Administration (GSA), paid $15 million to settle GSA’s claims that the company had submitted false claims for goods sold pursuant to the Multiple Award Schedule.
- [Diversion of Foreign Military Sales Program Funds](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/diversion-of-foreign-military-sales-program-funds/) - Pratt & Whitney paid $14.8 million to settle the government’s allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by diverting Foreign Military Sales Program funds to unauthorized purposes, including payments to an Israeli Brigadier General.
- [Medically Unnecessary Services (Laboratories)](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/medically-unnecessary-services-laboratories/) - UroCor, Inc., and Dianon Systems, Inc. medical laboratories, paid $9 million and $4.8 million, respectively, to resolve claims in qui tam whistleblower lawsuits alleging that they billed Medicare for medically unnecessary lab tests that physicians did not know they were ordering.
- [Medicare Carrier Quality Control Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/medicare-carrier-quality-control-fraud/) - Blue Shield of California, a Medicare carrier, paid $12 million to settle allegations in a qui tam whistleblower action that it misrepresented the quality of claims processing services it was providing for the Medicare program.
- [Overbilling on Government Software Contracts](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/overbilling-on-government-software-contracts/) - CA Technologies agreed to pay over $11 million to settle allegations that the software giant violated the federal False Claims Act and similar state and local statutes through the fraudulent billing of hundreds of public agencies on software maintenance renewal contracts.
- [Medically Unnecessary Services (Nursing Home)](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/medically-unnecessary-services-nursing-home/) - Extendicare Health Services, Inc., a nationwide nursing home chain, paid $10 million to settle qui tam whistleblower claims that the company’s skilled nursing facilities were providing patients with unnecessary rehabilitation therapy services for the sole purpose of obtaining higher reimbursements from Medicare. Extendicare paid VSG client Tracy Lovvorn an additional $990,000 in settlement of her
- [Weapons Testing & Quality Assurance Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/weapons-testing-quality-assurance-fraud/) - Teledyne Inc. paid more than $115 million to settle claims in two qui tam whistleblower lawsuits that the company falsely certified testing of electromagnetic parts used in weapons systems and padded estimates on sole source contracts. Teledyne also plead guilty to 35 criminal counts of making false statements and paid a $17.5 million fine.
- [Hospital Kickbacks for Patient Referrals](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/hospital-kickbacks-for-patient-referrals/) - HCA, Inc., the nation’s largest hospital chain at the time, paid $225.5 million to resolve claims by multiple qui tam whistleblowers that HCA unlawfully paid kickbacks to physicians, and violated the federal “Stark” law, to induce physicians to refer patients whose care would be billed to federal health programs.
- [Pharmacy Kickbacks to Nursing Homes](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/pharmacy-kickbacks-to-nursing-homes/) - Omnicare, Inc. paid $98 million to settle allegations that drug manufacturers paid kickbacks to Omnicare so that the pharmacy chain would prefer their products over competing products when recommending products to nursing home patients, and that Omnicare paid kickbacks to nursing homes to secure their business. The settlements were based on allegations by four qui
- [Kickbacks to Induce Medically Unnecessary Services](https://www.vsg-law.com/settlements/kickbacks-to-induce-medically-unnecessary-services/) - Fresenius Medical Care North America, a health care company, paid $385 million to settle civil claims in multiple qui tam whistleblower lawsuits that a predecessor company, National Medical Care, Inc., paid unlawful kickbacks to induce physicians and nurses to provide unnecessary intravenous nutrition to dialysis patients covered by Medicare.

## News

- [CVS to Pay $37.76M to Settle Whistleblower Allegations That It Overbilled Government Healthcare Programs for Excessive Amounts of Insulin](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/cvs-to-pay-36-5m-to-settle-whistleblower-allegations-that-it-overbilled-government-healthcare-programs-for-excessive-amounts-of-insulin/) - Government secures $36.5M settlement after Vogel Slade Goldstein client files qui tam lawsuit claiming CVS overbilled Medicare and Medicaid for excess insulin.
- [Vogel, Slade & Goldstein Strengthens Award-Winning Qui Tam Team with Addition of Former Federal Prosecutor Gwendolyn A. Stamper](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vogel-slade-goldstein-strengthens-award-winning-qui-tam-team-with-addition-of-former-federal-prosecutor-gwendolyn-a-stamper/) - September 17, 2025 – Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, LLP announced today that Gwen Stamper, a prominent litigator and experienced former federal prosecutor, has joined the firm. Gwen brings a depth of experience in complex corporate investigations and litigation. Prior to joining Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, Gwen served as a federal prosecutor in the Fraud Section,
- [Best Lawyers® Names VSG Partner Janet Goldstein the 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” in Qui Tam Law in Washington, D.C.](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/best-lawyers-names-vsg-partner-janet-goldstein-the-2025-lawyer-of-the-year-in-qui-tam-law-in-washington-d-c/) - August 20, 2024—Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, LLP, is proud to announce Best Lawyers® has named partner Janet Goldstein the 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” in Qui Tam Law in Washington, D.C. Janet Goldstein is an experienced qui tam lawyer who has spent over 25 years representing whistleblowers in False Claims Act cases and related wrongful termination
- [Best Lawyers® names VSG Partner Janet Goldstein a Best Qui Tam Lawyer for 2024](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/best-lawyers-names-janet-goldstein-a-best-qui-tam-lawyer-for-2024/) - VSG is proud to announce Janet Goldstein was once again named a “Best Lawyer in America for Qui Tam Law” by Best Lawyers.
- [Best Lawyers® Names VSG Partner Shelley Slade a Best Qui Tam Lawyer and Qui Tam Lawyer of the Year in DC for 2024](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/best-lawyers-names-vsg-partner-shelley-slade-qui-tam-lawyer-of-the-year-in-dc-for-2024/) - VSG is proud to announce that Best Lawyers has named partner Shelley R. Slade “Lawyer of the Year” for Qui Tam Law in Washington, D.C. for 2024.
- [Walgreens, Stephen L. LaFrance Holdings Co. and Other USA Drug Chain Pharmacies Pay $16 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Overbilling Case](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/walgreens-stephen-l-lafrance-holdings-pay-16-million-to-resolve-false-claims-act-overbilling-case/) - VSG announced today that Walgreens, Stephen L. LaFrance Holdings Co. and other USA Drug pharmacies will pay $16 million to settle a whistleblower overbilling lawsuit.
- [Department of Justice Officials Explain New Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/department-of-justice-officials-explain-new-civil-cyber-fraud-initiative/) - November 10, 2021. This fall, the Department of Justice unveiled a new Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative which will be empowered to use the False Claims Act to pursue government contractors who have committed cybersecurity fraud. Officials in the Department of Justice’s Civil Division clarified this week that the initiative will be focused on the following types
- [Best Lawyers<sup>®</sup> Names VSG Partner Shelley Slade a Best Qui Tam Lawyer and Qui Tam Lawyer of the Year in DC](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/best-lawyers-names-shelley-slade-lawyer-of-the-year/) - In its 2022 edition, Best Lawyers named VSG partner Shelley Slade "Lawyer of the Year" for Qui Tam Law in Washington DC. Learn why.
- [Best Lawyers<sup>®</sup> names VSG Partner Janet Goldstein a Best Qui Tam Lawyer](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/janet-goldstein-named-a-best-qui-tam-lawyer-dc/) - In its 2022 edition, Best Lawyers has once again named VSG partner Janet Goldstein a Best Lawyer in America for Qui Tam Law. Learn why.
- [DOJ Moves to Dismiss Just Under 4% of Whistleblower Filings](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/doj-moves-to-dismiss-just-under-4-of-whistleblower-filings/) - In a December 19, 2019, letter to Senator Chuck Grassley, the U.S. Department of Justice has provided detailed information on its expanding use of its authority under the False Claims Act to dismiss cases brought by qui tam relators in which it has declined to intervene. On January 10, 2018, Mike Granston, Director of
- [VSG Recommends Tom Mueller's New Book on Whistleblowing](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsg-recommends-tom-muellers-new-book-on-whistleblowing/) - VSG Partner Shelley R. Slade and author Tom Mueller October 6, 2019. Journalist Tom Mueller, author of the New York Times bestseller on the olive oil industry, Extra Virginity, has just released the definitive book on whistleblowing in America: Crisis of Conscience: Whistleblowing in an Age of Fraud. While Mr. Mueller profiles government informants as
- [CEO Pays $20M to Resolve SBA/VA Fraud Claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/ceo-pays-20m-to-resolve-sba-va-fraud-claims/) - The qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act are increasingly being used to fight fraud against SBA programs for SDVOSB and minority-owned businesses. Rewards can be substantial for whistleblowers with credible information of fraud on the SBA’s Section 8(a) and SDVOSB programs.
- [Alaskan Native Sub KICD Pays $2.025 Million to Resolve FCA-Kickback Case](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/alaskan-native-sub-kicd-pays-2-025-million-to-resolve-fca-kickback-case/) - May 6, 2019. The Office of U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas last week announced a $2.025 million settlement in a False Claims Act (FCA) action brought by VSG Client, Susan Campbell. In a complaint filed in January 2010, Ms. Campbell alleged that her former employer, KIC Development, LLC (KICD), an Arlington-Virginia based
- [Former HMA CEO Gary Newsome Pays $3.5 Million to Settle Qui Tam Claims by VSG Clients](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/former-hma-ceo-newsome-pays-3-5-million-settle-hospital-admission-fraud-charges/) - Washington DC April 30, 2019 - The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that Gary D. Newsome, former CEO of Health Management Associates LLC (HMA), will pay $3.5 million to settle allegations in a qui tam lawsuit that Newsome sought to maximize corporate profits by unlawfully inducing and pressuring Emergency Room (ER) physicians to increase
- [Medicare Part D Sponsor Fraud and the False Claims Act](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/medicare-part-d-fraud/) - If you are an insider with information about intentional bid inflation by Medicare Part D Sponsors, then you may have a qui tam case under the False Claims Act. The WSJ determined Part D Sponsors profited from overstating their anticipated direct subsidy costs; this conduct may involve fraud.
- [Walgreens Pharmacy Chain Pays $209 Million to Settle VSG Clients’  Lawsuit Alleging Over-Dispensing of Insulin](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/walgreens-settles-insulin-false-claims-charges-for-209-million/) - Washington, D.C., January 22, 2019: The law firm, Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, LLP, announced today that Walgreens Boots Alliance has agreed to pay $209.2 million to the United States and a number of states to resolve a lawsuit brought by two of the firm’s whistleblower clients alleging that Walgreens knowingly bilked Medicare, Medicaid and other
- [VS&G Qui Tam Client Sues Rite Aid Pharmacy for Usual and Customary Charge Violations](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsg-qui-tam-client-sues-rite-aid-pharmacy-for-usual-and-customary-charge-violations/) - A qui tam lawsuit alleges Rite Aid illegally charged individuals insured by Medicaid and Medicare more than other customers for prescription drugs for years. Pharmacies are required to bill Medicaid and Medicare customers no more than their “usual and customary” charge to the general public.
- [DOJ Joins VS&G Client Lawsuit Against For-Profit Hospital Chain & Ex-CEO for ER Admissions Scheme](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/doj-joins-vsg-client-lawsuit-against-for-profit-hospital-chain-ex-ceo-for-er-admissions-scheme/) - Whistleblower lawsuit alleges HMA, former CEO Gary Newsome and ER contractor EmCare engaged in a massive scheme to defraud Medicare and Medicaid. The alleged scheme involved pressuring ER physicians to admit more patients to boost profits.
- [In Major Victory for Whistleblower David Kester, USA and States, Novartis Pays $390 Million to End Kickback Case](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/novartis-pays-390-million-to-end-kickback-case/) - In major victory for VSG client, whistleblower David Kester, and the federal and several state governments, Novartis resolves False Claims Act lawsuit for $390M. Mr. Kester’s lawsuit is the largest recovery to the Government ever in a False Claims Act case based solely on a kickback theory.
- [VS&G Qui Tam Lawyers Receive Top Rankings in Study of False Claims Act Whistleblower Lawsuits](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsg-qui-tam-lawyers-receive-top-rankings-in-study-of-false-claims-act-whistleblower-lawsuits/) - VSG qui tam lawyers ranked #1 in winning whistleblower awards and DOJ intervention in their clients' lawsuits in study of 4000+ False Claims Act qui tam cases. VSG had the highest success rate nationwide (65.9%) for achieving monetary awards on behalf of their whistleblower clients.
- [Hospital Chain Pays Over $260 Million to Settle Charges Arising from Whistleblower Lawsuits Brought by VSG Clients and Others](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/hma-settles-hospital-medicare-fraud-charges-for-260-million/) - Washington DC September 25, 2018 - The U.S. Department of Justice announced today that Health Management Associates, LLC (HMA) will pay over $260 million to settle allegations raised in several “qui tam” (whistleblower) / False Claims Act lawsuits alleging that HMA pressured hospital emergency room (ER) doctors to increase the rate of ER-to-hospital admissions irrespective
- [Navy Contractor Inchcape Shipping to Pay $20 Million to Settle VSG Qui Tam Whistleblower Billing Fraud Case](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/inchcape-settles-navy-billing-fraud-whistleblower-case-for-20-million/) - Navy contractor Inchcape Shipping Services and subsidiaries will pay $20 million to settle a VSG qui tam whistleblower government contractor fraud case.
- [VS&G Partners Named to Best Whistleblower Lawyers List](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsg-partners-named-to-best-whistleblower-lawyers-list/) - Washingtonian magazine has named all VSG partners to its "Best Whistleblower Lawyer" list. A top-ranked qui tam law firm, VSG represents clients nationwide
- [EmCare Pays $30 million to Settle Qui Tam Claims by VSG Clients and Others](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/emcare-settles-vsg-qui-tam-lawsuit-for-er-admissions-fraud-for-30-million/) - EmCare paid $30 million to settle 2 qui tam lawsuits alleging emergency room hospital admission fraud and kickbacks. VSG clients will share the $6 million whistleblower award.
- [Social Security Administration Ceases Practices Challenged in VSG Lawsuit](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsg-lawsuit-against-social-security-administration-leads-to-millions-in-tax-refunds/) - Social Security Administration agrees to stop collecting old debts through its tax referral program. VSG partner Rob Vogel challenged SSA pro bono in Grice
- [VSG Pursues Lawsuit Against Social Security Administration](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsg-pursues-lawsuit-against-social-security-administration/) - VSG attorney pursues class action suite alleging SSA wrongfully seized tax refunds of hundreds of thousands of people to repay Social Security “overpayments.”
- [CA Inc. to Pay $45 Million to Settle VSG Qui Tam Whistleblower Case Alleging False Claims to GSA](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/ca-inc-pays-45-million-on-vsg-qui-tam-whistleblower-suit-for-gsa-false-claims/) - CA Inc pays $45 million to settle VSG qui tam whistleblower lawsuit alleging the software giant overcharged GSA for its IT products.
- [Court Rules VS&G Qui Tam Whistleblower Lawsuit against Software Giant CA, Inc. May Go Forward](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/court-rules-vsg-qui-tam-whistleblower-lawsuit-against-software-giant-ca-inc-may-go-forward/) - Court rules that VSG qui tam whistleblower lawsuit accusing software giant CA, Inc. of defrauding GSA may proceed.
- [Rob Vogel quoted in Bloomberg on court opinion in Lance Armstrong qui tam case](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/bloomberg-quotes-rob-vogel-on-armstrong-qui-tam-case/) - VSG partner Rob Vogel was quoted in Bloomberg news on the court's decision to permit the Lance Armstrong qui tam case to proceed to trial.
- [Whistleblower Lawsuit in Navy Kickbacks Continues](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/whistle-blower-lawsuit-in-navy-kickbacks-continues/) - VSG clients continue to pursue the qui tam action that led to the convictions of six defendants in Rhode Island for bribery and theft of Navy funds.
- [1st Circuit Victory for VSG Client](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/1st-circuit-victory-for-vsg-client/) - A Court of Appeals ruled in favor of VSG's qui tam client in a False Claims Act whistleblower lawsuit against Pharmerica Corporation.
- [VSG Partner Rob Vogel Speaks at Qui Tam Enforcement Conference in New York](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsg-partner-rob-vogel-speaks-at-qui-tam-enforcement-conference-in-new-york/) - VSG partner Rob Vogel was a featured speaker at the New York False Claims & Qui Tam Enforcement Conference. He discussed how lawyers choose and file qui tam cases.
- [Justice Department Announcement on 2016 Qui Tam Settlements Highlights VSG Lawsuit](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/doj-announcement-on-2016-qui-tam-settlements-highlights-vsg-lawsuit-in-new-york/) - In announcing over $2.6 billion in qui tam lawsuit recoveries, Justice Department highlights VSG qui tam suit pharmacy kickback case against Novartis.
- [Qui Tam Lawyers Robert Vogel, Shelley Slade & Janet Goldstein Named “Whistleblower Lawyers of the Year” by Taxpayers Against Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/qui-tam-lawyers-vogel-slade-goldstein-named-whistleblower-lawyers-of-the-year-by-taxpayers-against-fraud/) - Qui tam lawyers Rob Vogel, Shelley Slade & Janet Goldstein of Vogel, Slade & Goldstein were named "Whistleblower Lawyers of the Year" by Taxpayers Against Fraud
- [VSG Client David Kester Honored as “Whistleblower of the Year”](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsg-client-david-kester-honored-as-whistleblower-of-the-year/) - Taxpayers Against Fraud honors David Kester for a qui tam lawsuit against Novartis, BioScsript and Accredo that yielded a $465M recovery for U.S. taxpayers.
- [Ivax Pharmaceuticals to Pay $14 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Lawsuit](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/ivax-pharmaceuticals-to-pay-14-million-to-resolve-false-claims-act-lawsuit/) - Ivax pays $!4 mm in False Claims Act case brought by client of VSG, a Washington, DC, whistleblower firm. VSG ranks #1 for successful qui tam recoveries.
- [False Claims Act Amendments Passed By Congress; Qui Tam attorney Shelley Slade Provides Key Testimony Before Congress](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/false-claims-act-amendments-passed-by-congress-qui-tam-attorney-shelley-slade-provides-key-testimony-before-congress/) - Shelley.Slade, a partner with the whistleblower law firm Vogel, Slade & Goldstein, testified in support of False Claims Act amendments.
- [Qui Tam Whistleblower Michael Lindley Alleges Gallup Defrauded U.S. Government](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/qui-tam-whistleblower-michael-lindley-alleges-gallup-defrauded-u-s-government/) - Whistleblower lawsuit by former Gallup employee and VSG client Michael Lindley leads to felony conflict of interest charges against FEMA executive
- [Bringing its False Claims Act Settlements in VS&G Lawsuits to a Total of $197.5 million, Omnicare Pays $21 million to Settle Allegations of Medicaid Fraud in Massachusetts and Michigan in Whistleblower Action](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/bringing-its-false-claims-act-settlements-in-vsg-lawsuits-to-a-total-of-197-5-million-omnicare-pays-21-million-to-settle-allegations-of-medicaid-fraud-in-massachusetts-and-michigan-in-whistleblowe/) - Omnicare Pays $21 million to Settle Allegations of Medicaid Fraud in Massachusetts and Michigan False Claims Act Case. Lawsuit brought by VSG client.
- [Software Giant CA Technologies Agrees to Pay $11 million to Settle Federal and Multi-State False Claims Act Whistleblower Lawsuit for Billing Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/software-giant-ca-technologies-agrees-to-pay-11-million-to-settle-federal-and-multi-state-false-claims-act-whistleblower-lawsuit-for-billing-fraud/) - Former employee alleged the company falsely billed hundreds of public agencies at federal, state and local levels
- [Government Settles VSG Qui Tam Kickback Case with Accredo Pharmacy for $60 million](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/government-settles-vsg-qui-tam-kickback-case-with-accredo-pharmacy-for-60-million/) - Accredo resolves for $60 million VS&G client qui tam claims alleging pharmacy received rebates and patient referrals in exchange for drug recommendations.
- [Pfizer pays $491 Million to Resolve Allegations of Off-Label Marketing of Rapamune](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/pfizer-pays-491-million-to-resolve-allegations-of-off-label-marketing-of-rapamune/) - Whistleblower suit by VSG client and former employee of Pfizer-owned Wyeth, Mark Campbell, alleged illegal marketing of potentially dangerous transplant drug.
- [VSG Whistleblower Lawyers in the News 2011-2013](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsg-whistleblower-lawyers-in-the-news-2011-2013/) - Examples of when VSG lawyers have been sought out by media, law schools, legal organizations & Congress to provide insight on qui tam law/lawsuits.
- [Former FEMA Exec Timothy Cannon Pleads to Felony for Corruptly Steering Contracts to Gallup](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/former-fema-exec-timothy-cannon-pleads-to-felony-for-corruptly-steering-contracts-to-gallup/) - Timothy Cannon pleaded guilty in a qui tam lawsuit that whistleblower law firm Vogel, Slade & Goldstein filed against Gallup on behalf of client, Michael Lindley.
- [Armor Group North America and its Affiliates Pay $7.5 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/armor-group-north-america-and-its-affiliates-pay-7-5-million-to-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations/) - ArmorGroup pays $7.5 million in VSG whistleblower case for False Claims Act violations in Kabul Embassy defense contract.
- [Rob Vogel of Vogel, Slade & Goldstein Comments on SEC Proposed Rule](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/rob-vogel-of-vogel-slade-goldstein-comments-on-sec-proposed-rule/) - VSG attorney Rob Vogel on the SEC’s Proposed Rule for Implementing the Whistleblower Provisions of Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (amended under Title IX of the Dodd-Frank bill)
- [Johnson & Johnson Reserves Funds for Settlement](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/johnson-johnson-reserves-funds-for-settlement/) - Johnson & Johnson stated it is taking a $600 million charge for settlement of cases involving J&J kickbacks to long term care pharmacy chain Omnicare.
- [Justice Department Sues Gallup for Defrauding Three Federal Agencies](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/justice-department-sues-gallup-for-defrauding-three-federal-agencies/) - In False Claims Act case by VSG client Michael Lindley, DOJ accuses The Gallup Organization of bilking government agencies.
- [Former FEMA Director Will Plead to Felony for Corruptly Steering Contracts to Gallup, Reports NBC News](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/former-fema-director-will-plead-to-felony-for-corruptly-steering-contracts-to-gallup-reports-nbc-news/) - Charges Arise from Whistleblower Lawsuit by former Gallup Employee Michael Lindley
- [Shelley R. Slade Testifies on Qui Tam Law & Procedures before the U.S. Congress](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/shelley-r-slade-testifies-on-qui-tam-law-procedures-before-the-u-s-congress/) - VSG attorney Shelley Slade testified at congressional hearing on law and procedures pertaining to DOJ decisions on whether to intervene in False Claims Act qui tam cases.
- [Gallup pays $10.5M to settle qui tam whistleblower case filed by VSG client](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/gallup-pays-10-5m-to-settle-qui-tam-whistleblower-case-filed-by-vsg-client/) - VSG client and former Gallup employee's allegations led to Justice Department investigation and suspension of polling company's government contracting.
- [Whistleblower Lawyer Janet Goldstein Speaks on Litigating Qui Tam Cases at Washington DC Employment Lawyers’ Conference](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/whistleblower-lawyer-janet-goldstein-speaks-on-litigating-qui-tam-cases-at-washington-dc-employment-lawyers-conference/) - At a National Employment Lawyers Association conference, VSG whistleblower lawyer Janet Goldstein gives pointers for successfully litigating qui tam cases.
- [J&J Pays $149 Million to Resolve VS&G Qui Tam Alleging Kickbacks to Promote Risperdal](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/jj-pays-149-million-to-resolve-vsg-qui-tam-alleging-kickbacks-to-promote-risperdal/) - The qui tam suit brought by a VSG client against J&J alleged the company paid illegal kickbacks to increase Risperdal sales to nursing home residents.
- [Former Sales Manager Files Whistleblower Complaint Against Novartis](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/former-sales-manager-files-whistleblower-complaint-against-novartis/) - Lawsuit alleges pharmaceutical giant ran massive kickback scheme with multiple pharmacies to boost sales of its patented drugs despite known side effects.
- [Whistleblower Receives $2.79 Million in Settlement of Medicare Fraud and Retaliation Lawsuit Against Extendicare](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/whistleblower-receives-2-79-million-in-settlement-of-medicare-fraud-and-retaliation-lawsuit-against-extendicare/) - Former employee’s qui tam lawsuit leads to $10 million taxpayer recovery from nursing home company for alleged Medicare fraud.
- [Government Joins Whistleblower Lawsuit by VS&G Client Alleging Computer Sciences Corp. & NYC Defrauded Medicaid](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/government-joins-whistleblower-lawsuit-by-vsg-client-alleging-computer-sciences-corp-nyc-defrauded-medicaid/) - US Dep't of Justice and NYS Attorney General join VSG qui tam whistleblower lawsuit against Computer Sciences Corporation & NYC for medicaid fraud.
- [Court Rules that Lawsuit Against Social Security Administration May Go Forward](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/court-rules-that-lawsuit-against-social-security-administration-may-go-forward/) - The lawsuit alleges that the Social Security Administration wrongfully seized tax refunds of thousands of people to repay Social Security “overpayments."
- [VSG's Navy Bribery Whistleblower Case Settles](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/vsgs-navy-bribery-whistleblower-case-settles/) - VSG's qui tam complaint alleged scheme to bribe Navy official to obtain contracts. Defendants have been ordered to pay over $17 million in restitution.
- [U.S. Justice Department Joins False Claims Act Suit against Navy Contractor Alleging Worldwide Scheme to Overcharge Navy Ships](https://www.vsg-law.com/news/government-joins-vsg-suit-against-inchcape/) - Whistleblower lawsuit alleges that Inchcape Shipping Services defrauded the Navy through a pattern of overcharges, kickbacks and false invoices

## Tips

- [Using Therapeutic Value Ratings to Bolster Illegal Drug Marketing Allegations](https://www.vsg-law.com/whistleblower-lawyer-tips/using-therapeutic-value-ratings-to-bolster-illegal-drug-marketing-allegations/) - Whistleblowers seeking to expose pharmaceutical fraud including kickbacks and other deceptive marketing practices, such as misrepresentation of a drug’s benefits, may wish to bolster their allegations with any available evidence that the illegally promoted drug lacks therapeutic benefit, relying on rankings assigned by entities such as the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board and Prescrire International. Evidence of lack of therapeutic
- [Bringing Qui Tam Cases Against Government Contractors for Mischarging Labor Categories](https://www.vsg-law.com/whistleblower-lawyer-tips/fight-labor-mischarging-fraud-using-qui-tam-law/) - Labor mischarging occurs when a government contractor charges incorrect pay rates. This type of procurement fraud may serve as the basis for qui tam lawsuits.
- [How Keeping Written Notes May Help Your Qui Tam Case](https://www.vsg-law.com/whistleblower-lawyer-tips/keeping-notes-helps-your-qui-tam-case/) - False Claims Act whistleblowers can strengthen their qui tam cases by keeping contemporaneous notes about events or conversations that may prove the fraud. Top qui tam attorneys provide whistleblower tips on what kinds of detailed facts to document.
- [Combating Buy America Act Fraud with Qui Tam Lawsuits](https://www.vsg-law.com/whistleblower-lawyer-tips/combating-buy-america-act-fraud-with-qui-tam-lawsuits/) - Learn how qui tam lawsuits under the False Claims Act are an important tool in combating Buy American Act fraud and other Trade Agreement violations.

## Categories

- [Uncategorized](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/uncategorized/)
- [Arbitration](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/arbitration/)
- [Civil Investigative Demands](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/civil-investigative-demands/)
- [Counterclaims](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/counterclaims/)
- [Damages](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/damages/)
- [Defendant's Knowledge](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/defendants-knowledge/)
- [Discovery](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/discovery/)
- [False Certification](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/false-certification/)
- [False Statements](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/false-statements/)
- [Falsity](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/falsity/)
- [First-to-file](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/first-to-file/)
- [Government Knowledge](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/government-knowledge/)
- [Implied Certification](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/implied-certification/)
- [Kickbacks](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/kickbacks/)
- [Materiality](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/materiality/)
- [Medicare Part D](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/medicare-part-d/)
- [Off-Label](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/off-label/)
- [Persons Subject to Suit](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/persons-subject-to-suit/)
- [Presentment](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/presentment/)
- [Public Disclosure](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/public-disclosure/)
- [Qui Tam Attorneys' Fees](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/qui-tam-attorneys-fees/)
- [Relator's Standing](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/relators-standing/)
- [Release of claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/release-of-claims/)
- [Retaliation Claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/retaliation-claims/)
- [Retroactivity](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/retroactivity/)
- [Rule 9b](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/rule-9b/)
- [Seal](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/seal/)
- [Statute of Limitations](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/statute-of-limitations/)
- [Survivability](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/survivability/)
- [Taking Defendant's Documents](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/taking-defendants-documents/)
- [Reverse False Claims](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/category/reverse-false-claims/)

## Client Categories

- [Healthcare](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/healthcare-fraud/)
- [Pharmaceutical](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/pharmaceutical-fraud/)
- [Government Contractor](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/government-contractor-fraud/)
- [Hospital/Nursing Home](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/hospital-and-nursing-home-services-fraud/)
- [Physician Services](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/physician-services/)
- [Medical Device Manufacturer](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/medical-device-manufacturer-fraud/)
- [Clinical Laboratory](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/clinical-laboratory-services-fraud/)
- [Carrier/Fiscal Intermediary](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/carrier-and-fiscal-intermediary-services-fraud/)
- [Defense Procurement](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/defense-contractor-and-other-procurement-fraud/)
- [Multiple Award Schedule](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/multiple-award-schedule-fraud/)
- [Buy American Act](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/buy-american-act-fraud/)
- [Grants](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-client-category/grant-fraud/)

## Tips Categories

- [Documenting Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-tips-category/documenting-fraud/)
- [Contractor Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-tips-category/contractor-fraud/)
- [Mischarging](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-tips-category/mischarging/)
- [Buy America Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-tips-category/buy-america-fraud/)
- [Customs Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-tips-category/customs-fraud/)
- [Pharmaceutical Fraud](https://www.vsg-law.com/blog/vsg-tips-category/pharmaceutical-fraud/)